Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends (Hicksite : 1827-1955)

The peace testimony is central in the belief and religious history of Quakers. During the U.S. Civil War, American Quakers debated the issues of passification and conscientious objection, and many Quakers suffered fines or imprisonment for their refusal to bear arms.

From the description of Collected materials on the Quaker Peace Testimony, 1780-1917, 1861-1867. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 34010711

A general meeting for Friends in the Delaware Valley area was first convened at Burlington in 1681. The first general meeting held in Philadelphia was in 1683. Since 1760, all Yearly Meetings have been held in Philadelphia. The area of the Yearly Meeting has diminished over time. Generally, its territory now embraces eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A great schism among Philadelphia Friends occurred at the Yearly Meeting of 1827. From that year until the reunification of 1955 there were two Philadelphia Yearly Meetings, one of the Hicksite, the other of the Orthodox branch. Both were located in Philadelphia. Orthodox Friends retained possession of the meeting house on Arch Street, and so are often referred to as Arch Street Friends. The Hicksites are referred to as Race Street Friends since their Yearly Meeting was held at a meeting house, built in 1857, on Race Street. Through the course of the 20th century the Philadelphia Yearly Meetings began to draw back together. Organic union was finally approved in 1955. The work of the Yearly Meeting between its annual sessions is carried out by Representative or Interim Meeting. Most of its business or concerns are conducted by standing or temporary committees.

From the description of Epistles and memorials, 1828-1904. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36148114

From the description of Miscellaneous papers, 1899-1903. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36148190

From the description of Minutes [rough], 1830-1871. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36147918

From the description of Memorials : Recorded by direction of the Yearly Meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia, 1828-1898. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36148052

From the description of Epistles, 1827-1904. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36148086

From the description of Financial records of the Friends World Conference accounts, 1951-1953. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36171795

From the description of Treasurer's account book, 1827-1943. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36172028

From the description of Receipt book, 1828-1889. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36172072

From the description of Minutes of the Proceedings on Building the Meeting House at 15th and Race Sts., 1854-1863. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36172124

From the description of Miscellaneous papers, 1827-1872. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36148139

From the description of Miscellaneous papers, 1829-1892 & n.d. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36148166

A general meeting for Friends in the Delaware Valley area was first convened at Burlington in 1681. The first meeting held in Philadelphia was in 1683; since 1760, all yearly meetings have been held in Philadelphia. The area of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has diminished over time. Generally, its territory now embraces eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A great schism among Philadelphia Friends occurred at the Yearly Meeting of 1827. From that year until the reunification of 1955 there were two Philadelphia Yearly Meetings, one of the Hicksite, the other of the Orthodox branch. Both were located in Philadelphia. Orthodox Friends retained possession of the meeting house on Arch Street, and so are often referred to as Arch Street Friends. The Hicksites are referred to as Race Street Friends since their Yearly Meeting was held at a meeting house, built in 1857, on Race Street. Through the course of the 20th century the Philadelphia Yearly Meetings began to draw back together. Organic union was finally approved in 1955. The work of the Yearly Meeting between its annual sessions is carried out by Representative or Interim Meeting. Most of its business or concerns are conducted by standing or temporary committees.

From the description of Minutes, 1827-1955. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 36147901